Apparatus for treatment of gases with sulphuric acid



APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT oF GAsEs WITH sULPHUR'Ic ACID April 7, 1942. s. w. GRossMANN Erm.

Filed Aug. 23, 1939 muon/674.5

(om M75/e y 00A/4g? Haai/Fs y ATTNEY PatentedV Apr. 7', 1942 APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF GASES f WITH SULPHURIC ACID Samuel W. Grossmann and Donald A. Rogers,

Petersburg, Va., assignors to The Solvay Process Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August za, 1939, serial No. 291,519

14 claims. l (01.261-112) the absorption step. For example, ethylene is slow to dissolve in sulphuric acid and even after dissolving it is slow t6 react with the acid. High pressures must be employed to attain a satisfactory rate of reaction. not permissible as they result in the formation of polymers and free carbon. Such side reactions not only result in lower conversion iciency but may cause clogging and fouling of the apparatus.` Moreover, high temperatures result in an increased rate of corrosion of equipment. Nevertheless, to maintain a satisfactory rate of reaction a moderately elevated temperature, such as 80 C., must be maintained.

Because of the corrosive nature of the absorption liquor (which is generally prepared from about 9,5% sulphuric acid), the high pressure involved, and the vsomewhat elevated temperature necessary for rapid reaction, difliculties'are encountered in construction. Thus, it is necessary to construct the absorption vessel from an acidresistant material, such as ceramic ware. Absorption apparatus of industrial size cannot be prepared conveniently from a single piece and is most suitably constructed of sections cemented or otherwise joined together. Such a structure is not adapted to withstand the high pressures necessary for absorption; for example, about 200 pounds per square inch above atmospheric. If ceramic-lined metal is employed, cracks or crevices in the lining may develop and permit the hot acid to attack the metal. One method of avoiding excessive leakage and corrosion while supplying the required strength is to fit the absorption vessel with an outer concentric vessel constructed of steel and ll the annular space thus formed between the inner and outer vessels with a protective iluid under pressure. However, such an apparatus presents its own peculiar problems. There is almost inevitably leakage into the absorption vessel from the annular space or leakage in the opposite direction and the effectv of this must be taken into account. If water High temperatures are is used as the protective uid and there is an inward leakage, there results an undesirable dilution of the reaction liquor, which must be maintained at a high concentration, and, furthermore, heat is evolved, thereby increasing the supply of cooling medium required and making temperature control more difficult. On the other hand, if the leakage is outward into the annular space there results a loss of reactant materials and the formation in the annular space oi dilute aqueous sulphuric acid which will attack the outer vessel. The dilute aqueous acid may even attack the outer wall of the inner vessel since dilute sulphuric acid is much more corrosive to some materials than the very cencentrated acid.

A further problem in the design and opera-- tion of suitable absorbers for ethylene in sulpnuric acid is to insure intimate contact between-gas and liquid. If this is accomplished by bubbling air through a body of cencentrated sulphuric acid, the turbulence caused thereby will result in homogeneity of the reaction liquor.' Homogeneity is undesirable because it is not as favorable to the vproduction of a highly concentrated product as a gradient of ethylene concentrations from acid inlet to acid outlet.

It is an object of this invention to devise a relatively inexpensive apparatus and a-mode of form a space for liquid flow between the inner and outer vessels, means for introducing cold concentrated sulphuric acid into the space between the inner and outer vessels, and means for passing the acid in sequence through said `space and through the inner vessel. The inner vessel may be constructed of Duriron,'Hastelloy A or C, acid-proof cement or ceramic material o'f sufficient thickness to offer substantial re-- sistanec to ilow of heat therethrough.

A type of apparatus adapted to the above requirements and having still other advantages enumerated below is illustrated by the gures of the accompanying drawing, wherein Figs. 1 and olene absorber above and below line .1J-, re-

spectively. v

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawmg, numeral I designates a vertically elongated cylindrical vessel constructed of steel or other material capable of withstanding high pressures and resistant to the action of cold or moderately warm concentrated sulphuric acid. Vessel I has an acid inlet 2 and a clean-out door 3 at the bottom a'nd is open at its upper end and provided with a heavy flange 4. Disposed Within vessel I and supported therein on annulus 5, which may be welded into the wall of vessel I and is provided with perforations 6 to permit ready ilow of liquid therethrough, is a vertically elongated cylindrical vessel 8 composed of sections 8a, 8b, 8c, etc. spaced from vessel I.

In the lower half of vessel 8 are arranged three horizontal bailles 9, III, and II, each provided with a short conduit section I2 extending a substantial distance below the bottom of the baiile. 4The bailles also are provided with apertures I3 and I4. Apertures I4 preferably have a diameter only a fraction of the inside diameter of conduits I2. These apertures along with apertures I3 permit passage of gas vertically up through the baffles. Since the gas passing up through these apertures resists flow of liquid in an opposite direction, flow of `liquid .will be for the most part through the conduits I2.

Within and at one side of vessel 8, preferably the side opposite the conduit sections I2 in bales 8 and4 II, is disposed a vertical conduit I5 open at the bottom near the bottom of vessel I and having its upper end enlarged to form a cup I6 which is disposed at about the desired level of liquid in the vessel I providing a few inches of gas space between the liquid level and the top of the absorption vessel. The absorption vessel 'has a top I'I with apertures I3a therein similar to apertures I3 in bales 9, I0; and II. Vessel I is provided with a cover unit I8 which coacts with flange 4 to provide a gas-tight lid for the apparatus and may be secured by means of bolts or other clamping means to provide a strong, tight joint. Passing through unit I8 are a" plurality of bayonet type cooling tubes I8 connected with an inlet 20 and outlet 2| for cooling uid by manifold 22, which distributes cooling fluid among thecooling tubes, and manifold 23, which collects vit therefrom. Cooling tubes ,I8 extend down through the apertures I3a in top I'I and the' corres nding apertures I3 in batlles `9, I0, and I I to a pointnear the bottom o f vessel l. However, as the heat developed in the lower compartments of the absorber is generally less than in the upper compartments, it may be preferable to proportion the tubes differently, terminating some in the upper compartments. Apertures I3 are sulciently large to permit ready passage of bayonet tubes therethrough and pro- 4vide a small amount of clearance around the tubes.

Passing through unit I8' is also a gas inlet tube 24 which extends to a point below the bottomof cooling tubes I9 and has a distributor 25 allixed to its open lower end. An outlet conduit 28 also is mounted in unit I8 in such a manner that when unit I8 is'in position atop vessel I, conduit 425 is disposedwit'hin cup I6`with its open lower end disposed level. V

Instead of providing conduit I5 within vessel \8 an outlet through the bottoms of vessels 8 and I may be provided and the outlet conduit may be atl approximately the desired liquid .through the conduit 26.

brought up alongside and outside the absorber and connected with a cup vlike cup I6 but closed and connected at the top by a conduit to the gas space in the top of vessel 8. Or the conduit I 5 may lead through Athe top of the absorber and the cup I6 thus placed outside. In this case too the cup should be closed and should have a gas connection with the absorber. In either case wherein the cup I6 is disposed outside, it is connected with an outlet conduit at the desired liquid level.

In operation the above apparatus functions as follows: Cold 95-96% sulphuric acid is introduced at acid inlet 2 and proceeds up through the annular space between vessels I and 8 and through apertures I3a into vessel 8. Acid is charged until vessel 8 is filled with acid about to the lower'endy of outlet pipe 26. Ethylene- Containing gas, for instance a mixture containing 35- 40% by volume of ethylene. and the balance primarily methane, ethane, and hydrogen is introduced through inlet 24 to build up and maintain the internal pressure at about 200 pounds per square inch, gauge. Sulphuric acid is introduced gradually and preferably continuously at inlet 2. Reaction products are exhausted through outlet 26 more on less continuously. Sulphuric acid mixed with ethyl sulphuric acid reaction product passes downward in vessel 8 to baille 9. At this point al1 or the greater part of the acid is forced to pursue a tortuous path via conduits I2, the liquid stream flowing approximately at right angles to the flow of cooling liquid in tubes I9. When it reaches the bottom of vessel I it passes up through conduit I5 and nally out through pipe 26. The ethylene-containing gas introduced through pipe 24 enters the liquid through distributor 25 and bubbles upwardly through apertures I4 and the clearances between tubes I9 and the walls of apertures I3 to the gas space above the liquid level 21.

The reaction space, is cooled by means of water owing in at 20, down through the central tubes of the bayonet tubes I9 and upwardly through the annular space and out at 2|. In this way a suitable reaction temperature, e. g. about C. may be easily maintained.

The spent gas at the top of vessel 8 and the enriched liquor at the bottom thereof, consisting, l

for instance, of to 97% ethylsulphuric acid and the remainder unreacted sulphuric acid and water introduced therewith, are withdrawn The latter withdraws both gas and liquid at such relative rates that 'the liquid level is maintained approximately constantat 21.

VThe apparatus and mode of operation just described have, among others, the following notable advantages The provision of a jacket of reagent sulphuric acid for the absorption Vvessel 8 solves the prob- -lem of leakage above referred to. An ordinary selecting the temperature of the entering sul' Iphuric acid, its rate' o'f now, and the thickness of lthe wall of the inner vessel, this jacket of acid can be kept from heating up to a point where it attacks the outer steel vessel at an appreciable rate. Cold concentrated sulphuric acid has the advantage over water as a jacketing iluid in that in the event of leakage from the Jacketing space into the absorption vessel or vice versa there are no ill effects.A If leakage occurs into the absorption vessel there is no dilution of the acid therein (which must be maintained at a high concentration for rapid absorption) and no heating eiect (which would be undesirable due to its tendency to promote side reactions and corrosion. Likewise, in the event of outward leakage into the jacketing space there is no heating effect (which would promote corrosion). Furthermore, there 1 is no formation of highly corrosive dilute sulphuric acid and there is no loss of materials as the jacketing iiuid is subsequently passed into the absorption vessel.

The advantages of the interior arrangement of bailles and cooling pipes as described above are as follows: The bailles preserve a gradient of concentrations in the vacid liquor, thus preventing the turbulence produced by the ascending gas from causing the liquor to become homogeneous in composition. 'I'hus a liquor highly concentrated in ethylene or other soluble gaseous component can` more readily be produced. At the same time highly eflicient contact between the gas and liquor is maintained due both to the ne dispersion of the ascending gas and to th( cross-currents of liquor and gas resulting from the alternate arrangement of ports.. Furthermore, due to the fact that the liquor is caused to flow across the cooling pipes, more eflicient heat transfer is obtained.

In the case of ethylene absorption the object of baiiling only the lower part of the absorption vessel as shown in Figs. l and 2 is as follows: In the absorption of ethylene in concentrated sulphuric acid, the rate of absorption increases with the concentration of dissolved ethylene up to about 0.7 mol of ethylene per mol of sulphuric acid. Thereafter it decreases with increasing ethylene concentrations. Consequently, it is desirable to obtain as much absorption as possible at the concentration where the rate is highest. However, it is also desirable to obtain a nal product containing more than 0.7 mol of ethylene per mol of sulphuric acid, e. g. about 0.95 mol. The two ends are conveniently accomplished in the above-described apparatus. In the large, unbaied space above the line .'r-- in Fig. 1, the turbulence of the ascending gas maintains the absorption liquor in a substantially homogeneous condition, which can be maintained at the desired concentration (about 0.7 mol of ethylene per mol of lsulphuric acid) by suitably regulating the input of ethylene and sulphuric acid and the rate of withdrawal of product. In the baliled space below the line :c-:r in Fig. 2, due to the counter-current nature of the process, the concentration of ethylene is built up to a point considerably beyond that attained in the upper space, e. g. to around 0.95 mol per mol of sulphuric acid. Thereby, advantage is taken of the maximum in the absorption rate of ethylene and a more concentrated product is iinally obtained than correspondsto this maximum.

However, in absorption processes of the normal type where the rate of absorption always decreases with increase of concentration of 'absorbed material, it may be desirable to extend the baflling to the top part of he absorptionvessel.

It is preferredto employ concentric cooling pipes and to pass the cooling fluid into the inner pipe and out through the annular space between the inner and outer pipes, because this type of construction reduces the numberof joints exposed to the corrosive acid liquor as compared with other types; lfor example, single pipes in the form of coils. A

The means indicated for withdrawing .acid liquor p and gas provide a simple arrangement whereby acid can be withdrawn from the bottom where it is most concentrated in ethylene or other soluble component, and gas can be withdrawn from the top where it is poorest in the soluble component, and a nearly constant liquid level can b'e maintained. Alternative means oi' carrying out the removal of the products of reaction generally involve diiiiculty in maintaining the liquid level.

As above indicated, the outer vessel I may be constructed'of steel. The inner vessel B may be constructed of Duriron, Hastelloy A or C, acidproof cement, or ceramic ware. The tubes and baiiles may be constructed of materials such vas Hastelloy A or C or Duriron.

Although the apparatus and method constituting my invention havev been discussed with particular reference to the absorption of ethyl- -ene by vhot concentrated sulphuric acid, they possess advantages in the case of other processes involvingabsorption of gases in concentrated sulphuric acid.

We claim:v

1. Apparatus for reacting algas with hot concentrated sulphuric acid at high pressurev comprising an .inner vessel resistant to hot concentrated sulphuric acid, an outer vessel of uidtight, pressure-resistant construction which is less resistant to hot concentrated sulphuric acid than said inner vessel and sufliciently larger than the inner vessel to provide a space between adequate for maintaining liquid ow therethrough, means for introducing cold concentrated sulphuric acid into said space, means for causing cold concentrated sulphuric acid to now in sequence through said spaceand into the lnner vessel, and means for introducing a gas into the inner'vessel. 1

2. Apparatus for absorption of olefine from an oleiine-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid at high pressure, which comprises a reaction vessel composed of material'resistant to hot concentrated sulphuric acid but not adapted .for high pressure dierentials between the outsde and inside thereof, an. outer vessel surrounding said reaction vessel and spaced therefrom, said outer vessel being composed of material less resistant to hot concentrated. sulphuric acid than said inner vessel and capable of withstanding a high pressure therein, an inlet for cold sulphuric acid at one end of said outer vessel and a passage for liquid from said outer Vessel to said reaction vessel at the other end, an inlet for passing gas into said reaction vessel at the end thereof opposite said liquid passage, and

an outlet conduit for withdrawing reaction product from the reaction vessel.

end adapted to be firmly secured to the cylinder,

a cylindrical reaction vessel composed of a bottom section andY wall sections of material substantially more resistant to hot concentrated sulphuricy acidand structurally Vsubstantially weaker than'said steel cylinder, disposed within said cylinder and spaced therefrom` to provide an annular passage between the steelcylinder and reaction vessel, an acid inlet at the bottom of said cylinder, at least one passage for sulphuric acid from the top of said annular passage into said reaction vessel, an inlet for passing olene-containing gas into said reaction vessel near the bottom thereof, and a liquid outlet conduit for removing liquid reactionA product from the bot- 'tom of said reaction vessel.

4. Apparatus for absorption of olene from an olene-containing gas 'by hot concentrated sulphuric acid at high pressure, which comprises a vertically disposed steel cylinder closed at its lower end and provided with a removable upper end adapted to be firmly secured to the cylinder, a cylindrical reaction vessel composed of sections of an acid-resistant material disposed within said cylinder and spaced therefrom to provide an annular passage'between the steel cylinder and reaction vessel, an acid inlet at the bottom of said cylinder, at least one passageior .sulphuric acid from the top of said annular passage into said V reaction vessel, a liquid outlet conduit for removing liquid reaction product from the bottom of said .reaction vessel, a plurality of horizontal bailles disposed in the lower portion of said reaction vessel and having small apertures for upward .passage of gastherethrough and large pas-fI sages for iiow of liquid down therethrough, said ylarge passages being disposed atopposite ends of adjacent baffles to' provide tqrtuous ow of liquid through the lower end of the reaction vessel.

5. Apparatus for absorption of olene from an oleflne-containing gas by hot A'concentrated sulphuric acid at high pressure, which comprises a vertically disposed steel cylinder closed at its lower end and provided with a removable 4upper end adapted to be rmly secured to the cylinder, a cylindrical reaction vessel composed of sections of an acid-resistant material disposed within said cylinder and spaced therefrom to provide an annular passage between the steelfcylinr der and reaction vessel, an acid inlet at the bottom of said cylinder, at least one passage for sulphuric acid from the top of said annular passage -into said reaction vessel, a liquid outlet 4 conduit for removing liquid reaction Aproduct from Athe bottom of said` reaction vessel, a plusaid cylinder and spaced therefrom to provide an annular passage between the .steel cylinder and reaction vessel, an acid inlet at the bottom of said cylinder, at least one passage for sulphuric acid from the top of said annular passage into said reaction vessel, a liquid outlet conduit for removing liquid reaction product from the bottom of said reaction vessel, a plurality of horizontal baffles disposed in the lower portion of said reaction vessel and having small apertures vfor upward passage of gas therethrough and large passages for flow of liquid down therethrough, said large passages being disposed at opposite ends of adjacent bailles to provide tortuous flow of liquid through the lower end of the reaction. vessel, vertically disposed vcooling tubes supported by said removable end and passing through apertures in said -bafiles to a point near the bottom of said reaction vessel, said last-mentioned apertures being slightly larger than the cooling tubes so as to provide passages for ilow of gas between the coolingv tubes and the baffles, a gas inlet conduit extending through said removable end down to a point near the bottom of said reaction vessel, an'd a gas outlet conduit extending through said removable end to a point near the top Aof the reaction vessel.

7. Apparatus for absorption of olene from an olene-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid at high pressurewhich comprises a vertically disposed steel cylinder closed at its lower end and provided with a removable upper end adapted to be firmly secured to the cylinder, a cylindrical reactionl vessel composed of. sections of an acid-resistant material disposed within said cylinder and spaced therefrom to provide an annular passagebetween the steel cylinder and reaction vessel, an acid inlet at the bottom of said cylinder, at least one passagefor. sulphuric acid from the top of saidannular passage into said reaction vessel, la liquid outlet conduit for removing liquid reaction product from the bottom of said reaction vessel, a'plu'rality of horizontal baiiles disposed inthe lower portion of said reaction vessel and having small apertures for upward passage of gas therethrough and large passages for ow of liquid down therethrough, said large passages being disposed. at

rality of horizontal bailles disposedv in thelower portion of said reaction vessel and having small 'apertures for upward passageI of 4gas therevolene-containing gas by hot concentrated sul-v phuric acid at high pressure, which comprises' a vertically disposed steel cylinder closed at its lower end and provided with a removable upper end adapted to be firmly secured to the cylinder, a cylindrical reaction vessel composed of sections of an -acid-resistant material disposed within tuous ow of liquid through the lower end opposite ends of adjacent bailles to provide torf the reaction vessel, vertically l disposed coolirgg tubes supported by said removable end and passingthroughapertures in said bailies to a point near the'bottom of said reaction vessel, said lastmentioned apertures being slightly larger than the cooling tubes so as tor provide passages for tlow of gas between the cooling tubes and the baiiles, a gas inlet conduit extending through said removable end down to a .point near the bottom of said reaction vessel, a gas outlet conduit extending through said removable end to a point nearwthe top of the reaction vessel, said liquid outlet conduit extending Vvertically up through said reaction vessel to a point near thc top thereof and having an enlargement at its upperend open at the top, and said gasv outlet extending into and terminating within said enlargement.

8. In an apparatus for absorption of a gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid, a vessel adapted to contain a continuous mass of sulphuric acid and having disposed within the area occupied by l said mass of sulphuric acid, a series of horizontal bailies having smalll apertures for upward passage' of gas therethrough and large passages for flow of liquid down therethrough, the large passages in adjacent bales being disposed at opposite ends thereof and the small passages being sufciently small to substantially inhibit downsages in adjacent bales being disposed at opposite ends thereof and the small passages being suilciently small to substantially inhibit downward ow of liquid countercurrent to ilow of gas up therethrough.

10. In an absorber for absorption of -olene sorption vessel, cooling pipes suspended within said absorption vessel and extending through holes in said baffle plates, said holes being large enough to allow passage of gas but small enoughv to inhibit the opposing flow of a liquid, and ports i'or liquid ilow in said bale plates arranged on alternate sides of the absorption vessel so as to cause a liquid flowing therethrough to pursue a tortuous course, inlets` at the top and bottom of the absorption vessel for liquid and for gas,

' respectively, and outlets at the top and bottom from an olene-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid, means for removing residual gas and liquid reaction product and for maintaining a substantially constant liquid levelV level and a single outlet conduit extending from said mst-mentioned conduit at the desired liquid level.

11. In an absorber Afor absorption of olene from an olene-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid, means for removing residual gas and liquid reaction product from said v absorber and for maintaining a substantially constant liquid level therein, which comprises a ver-` tically disposed conduit within said absorber having an operi'nd near the vbottom of the absorber and its upper end open to the gas space within and near the top of .the absorber and a second conduit leading oir from said absorber and having its open end within the absorber extending into and terminating within said open upper end.

`12. In an apparatus for absorption of a gas by'hot concentrated sulphuric acid, an absorpof said vessel for gas and for liquid, respectively.

13. In an apparatus for absorption of olene from an koleiine-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid, an absorption vessel, bale plates disposed within said absorption vessel, cooling pipes suspended within said absorption vessel and extending through holes in said baille plates, said holes being large enough to allow passage of gas but small enough to inhibit the opposing Vow of a liquid, and ports for liquid ow in said baiile plates arranged on alternate sides of the absorption vessel so as to cause a liquid flowing therethrough to pursue a tortuous course, inlets at the'top and bottom of the absorption vessel for liquid and for gas, respectively, and outlets at the top and bottom of said vessel for gas and for liquid, respectively.

14. In an apparatus for absorption 'of oleflne from an olene-containing gas by hot concentrated sulphuric acid, an absorption vessel, baille plates disposed. withinsaid absorption vessell cooling pipes suspended within said absorption vessel and extending through holes in said baille plates, said holes being large enough to allow passage of gas but small enough to inhibit the opposing flow of a liquid.' ports for liquid ow in said baille plates arrangedv on alternate sides of the absorption vessel so as to cause a liquid ilowing therethrough to pursue a tortuous course,

a liquid outlet conduit extending vertically up through said absorption vessel to a point near the top thereof and having an enlarged open upper end and an outlet conduit leading ofi from said liquid outlet conduit at a point slightly below its open upper end, inlets at the top and tion vessel, baille plates disposed within said abbottom of the absorption vessel for liquid and for gas respectively.

' SAMUEL W. GROSSMANN.

DONALD A. ROGERS. 

